* <drink name="Kura Kura" alt="蔵くら" address="2-20-19 Kitazawa" directions="One minute walk from Shimokitazawa station south exit" phone="+81 03 5433-2323" email="" fax="" url="http://www.j-beer.com/kurakura/" hours="Tu-F 5PM-11:30PM, Sa-Su 4PM-11:30PM, closed M" price="Beer prices vary. Some food is served &mdash; try the sausage and beer sampler set for &yen;1000">Kura Kura has an excellent selection of beers from Japanese microbreweries served on tap, such as Swan Lake in Niigata and Sanktgallen in Kanagawa. They also have a wide selection of bottled beers, such as offerings from Baird Brewing Company in Shizuoka and Fuji Sakura Kogen in Yamanashi.</drink>

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* <drink name="Kura Kura" alt="蔵くら" address="2-20-19 Kitazawa" directions="One minute walk from Shimokitazawa station south exit" phone="+81 03 5433-2323" email="" fax="" url="http://www.j-beer.com/kurakura/" hours="Tu-F 5PM-11:30PM, Sa-Su 4PM-11:30PM, closed M" price="Beer prices vary. Some food is served &mdash; try the sausage and beer sampler set for &yen;1000">Kura Kura has an excellent selection of beers from Japanese microbreweries served on tap, such as Swan Lake in Niigata and Sanktgallen in Kanagawa. They also have a wide selection of bottled beers, such as offerings from Baird Brewing Company in Shizuoka and Fuji Sakura Kogen in Yamanashi. </drink>Unfortunately, they have moved to the more business district of Kanda in Chiyoda.

Contents

Understand

Setagaya has a reputation as an upscale residential district, and features many areas of greenery. The funky shopping and nightlife area of Shimokitazawa (下北沢), which is popular with students and young adults, is also located in the ward. Setagaya is also home to the shopping districts of Sangenjaya (三軒茶屋) and the newly revitalized Futako-Tamagawa (二子玉川), locally known as Nikotama. Some areas around Jiyūgaoka (自由が丘) also fall within Setagaya.

Get in

Shimokitazawa is on the Odakyu and Keio Inokashira train lines, just a quick hop from Shinjuku and Shibuya respectively. Most of the action is around the South Exit.

Sangenjaya and Futako-Tamagawa are on the Tokyu Den-en-Toshi train line from Shibuya. Komazawa-Daigaku is also along this line and near Sangenjaya, and the Komazawa University campus is a few minutes from the station.

Jiyūgaoka is a transfer point for the Tokyu Toyoko and Ōimachi train lines. The Toyoko Line is your best bet for getting into the southern sections of Setagaya from Shibuya or Central Yokohama. The Ōimachi Line, which originates in Ōimachi near Shinagawa, continues northward from Jiyūgaoka to Futako-Tamagawa to meet with the Den-en-Toshi line.

Get around

By train

The main train lines serving Setagaya are the Odakyu from Shinjuku to Odawara and the Keio Inokashira, Tokyu Toyoko, and Tokyu Denentoshi, all originating in Shibuya. Since all of these lines run generally westward from hubs on the Yamanote line, it can be somewhat difficult to travel north-south without going in to a hub and back out.

The only major connector line in the ward is the Tokyu Ōimachi line, which primarily serves residential communites to the extreme south located along the Tama River and Tokyo's #8 Ring Road (Kampachi-dori). The line can be used to connect between the Toyoko and Denentoshi lines without going back to Shibuya.

The Tokyu Setagaya line between Sangenjaya and Shimo-takaido is one of only two remaining streetcar lines in Tokyo.

See

Carrot Tower (キャロットタワー), 太子堂 4 chome 1-1. This is the tallest building in Setagaya and contains a free observation deck on the 26th floor and Gamefreak Co. on the 22nd floor.(35.64376,139.66908)

Gotokuji Temple (豪徳寺 Gotokuji), Gotokuji 2 chome 24-7 (Take the Odakya line to Gotokuji Station or the Setagaya line to Miyanozaka Station.). The origin of the maneki-neko or beckoning-cat statuettes that bring good fortune to Japanese merchants the world over.(35.648772,139.647417)

Kinuta Park (砧公園 Kinuta-koen), Kinuta-koen 1-1, [1]. A public park with a museum of modern art.

Komazawa Olympic Park (駒沢オリンピック公園 Komazawa orinpikku koen), Komazawa koen 1 (A 15-minute walk from Komazawa-Daigaku station on the Tokyu Den-en-Toshi train line.). A large public park, built for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.(,139.66189)

Machiko Hasegawa Museum (長谷川町子美術館 Hasegawa machiko bijutsukan), 1-30-6 Sakura-Shinmachi (7-minute walk from Sakura-Shinmachi Station on the Den-en Toshi Line), ☎+81 03 3701 8766. Tu-Su 10AM-5:30PM, last entry at 5:00PM. Art museum dedicated to the works of Machiko Hasegawa, creator of Sazae-san, one of Japan's longest running comic strips and cartoons. Showcases include original drawings, clay dolls, and paintings.Adults ¥600, College / High School students ¥500, Junior High / Elementary School students ¥400.

Setagaya Art Museum (世田谷美術館 Setagaya bijutsukan), Kinuta koen 1-2 (17-minute walk from Yoga Station on the Den-en Toshi Line), ☎+81 03 3415-6011. Tu-Su 10AM-6PM, last entry at 5:30PM, closed at New Years. Houses works by artists from the Primitivist School, such as Henri Rousseau.Adults ¥200, college students ¥150, children and senior citizens ¥100. (35.62515,)

Tamagawa Daishi (玉川大師), 瀬田 4-13-3 (Get off at Futako-Tamagawa on the Tokyu Den-en-Toshi Line (from Shibuya) and walk 10 minutes along the highway from Takashimaya Department Store), [2]. 9AM-5PM. A Buddhist temple, and a branch of Kawasaki Daishi. It isn't very large and the location is in a nondescript residential area, but its curious attraction is hidden: an underground passageway that snakes its way under the building. There are statues and altars with lighting at various points, but much of the tunnel is in absolute darkness. It symbolizes a passage through the intestines of the Buddha (better not to dwell too much on the symbolism!) while the 88 Buddha statues in one of the chambers also symbolize the famous 88 Temple Pilgrimage in Shikoku.(35.618763,139.627221)

Todoroki Keikoku (等々力渓谷), (Take the Tokyu Oimachi line to Todoroki Station.), [3]. A natural canyon nestled in urban surroundings. With a small river and lush vegetation, it offers a pleasant natural environment.(35.605005,139.64579)

Setagaya Park (世田谷公園 Setagaya-koen), Ikejiri 1-5-27, ☎+81 03 3412-7841, [4]. A public park with a pool, tennis courts, baseball grounds and so on. There is a mini steam train and a retired full-size steam locomotive for children to play on.(35.644167,139.681249)

Do

Tollywood, Daizawa 5-32-5 2F (Three minutes from Shimokitazawa south exit), ☎03-3414-0433, [5]. This small theater (46 seats) specializes in independent short films, mostly Japanese. The films aren't dubbed or subtitled of course, but they're so offbeat and often bizarre that you're sure to have a good time anyway.

Okuraland, Sakura 3-24-1 (5 minutes from Kamimachi station of Tokyu-Setagaya line), ☎03-3420-0271. Here you can go bowling or practice your golf swing. There are also batting cages.

Kuhonbutsu River Green Street (グリーンストリート・九品仏川緑道), (Near Jiyūgaoka Sta. South Exit), [6]. Take a date, canine friend, or both for an afternoon stroll from Jiyugaoka to Kuhonbutsu. Lined with cherry trees (wonderful in spring), benches, shops and sidewalk cafes.

Buy

Northern Setagaya

Yellow Pop. Carries an eclectic and well-stocked inventory of vinyl including punk, reggae, electronic, and hip-hop.

Setagaya Boro-Ichi (世田谷ボロ市), (Take the Setagaya line to Setagaya or Kamimachi and follow the crowds). A flea market that's held on the 15th and 16th of December and January each year. It's been drawing shoppers from all over Tokyo since it started in 1578. The main attraction is used clothing (such as kimonos) and antiques.

Central and Southern Setagaya

What Futako-Tamagawa perhaps lost in old-school charm and character it has gained in modernity and selection that rivals other major shopping areas in Tokyo. This recently revitalized station-front shopping area, which seems to have taken a peculiar design cue from nearby Tama Plaza, is anchored by two main shopping areas:

Tamagawa-Takashimaya S.C. (玉川高島屋Ｓ・Ｃ), (West of Futako-Tamagawa Sta. along Tamagawa-dori), [9]. The original anchor, now renovated to keep up with its reputation as a fashion center, is home to many of the same international brand name boutiques you'd find in Ginza, Omotesandou, or Roppongi Hills. Many of its annexes are connected via pedestrian bridges or garden walkways.

The Main Wing, South Wing, and West Wing along with Hanamizuki Court are across the street from the train station, and are home to numerous upscale brands such as Gucci, Burberry, and Lacoste. There is also a branch of Books Kinokuniya which, like its other locations across Japan, typically carries a decent selection of international publications.

The East Wing, Keyaki Court, Garden Island and Marronnier Court are up the street on the same side of the station, and contain stores such as MUJI and Gap.

Futako-Tamagawa Rise (二子玉川ライズ), (Connected to and east of Futako-Tamagawa Sta.), [10]. Newly built complex of shopping centers and offices on the eastern end of the station.

Rise Shopping Center and Dogwood Mall house many major domestic and international brand name stores, including H&M, Loft, Uniqlo, Oshman's, The North Face, and Francfranc.

Oak Mall, Bird's Mall, and Plaza Mall are more local in flavor and are the new, modern homes for many of the businesses that were displaced by the redevelopment.

Jiyūgaoka has for a long time carried a somewhat trendy if not upscale caché. Some of its street-front stores include independent and chain apparel stores (most of which cater to women), and various zakka establishments.

Eat

Northern Setagaya

Shimokitazawa is your best option for restaurants and bars.

Buon Sangue (世田谷区太子堂), 4-20-7 B1F, ☎+81 03-3411-7776‎. Excellent italian traditional restaurant, with several different type of pasta, meat, fish. Wood-oven made pizza is available on the ground floor.

KURA, at Yutenji, with others at Gotanda, Shibuya, Nakameguro, and Yotsuka-ichi-shi. This is an Italian restaurant - pasta, risotto, pizza, etc. All menu items are very inexpensive.

La Befana, 5-31-3 Daita (30 second walk from Shimokitazawa West Exit), ☎+81 03-3411-9500. Daily noon-2PM, 5:30PM-10:30PM. Good pizza from wood-fired stone oven, something you will be missing if you are staying for a long time in Japan. The lunch menu is excellent.

Mother, Daizawa 5-36-14 (3 min from Shimokitazawa South Exit, on the corner just before Gyoza-no-Osho), ☎+81 03-3421-9519. Multi-ethnic food and an interesting selection of imported beers, in a cave-like, Gaudi-inspired setting. Make sure you have time to kill, as the kitchen works at a rather leisurely pace.

Futako-Tamagawa is home to both high-brow and casual cuisine alike, most of it concentrated around the train station's shopping areas. As is the case with many other shopping areas across Japan, the restaurants on the higher floors offer supreme dining experiences with great views, and the prices to match.

Kua'Aina (クア・アイナ), Dogwood Plaza 7F, [15]. Branch of the Hawaiian-American burger joint found in on both sides of the Pacific.

Moti (モティ), Dogwood Plaza 7F. Moderately priced Indian food with a great view.

Starbucks, Dogwood Plaza 1F. While its ubiquity usually negates any need of mentioning, this particular location somewhat breaks from typical cookie-cutter mold through its unique seating arrangement and indoor garden setting.

Jiyūgaoka is fairly well-known for its mom-and-pop establishments, especially bakeries and pastry shops.

Drink

Kura Kura (蔵くら), 2-20-19 Kitazawa (One minute walk from Shimokitazawa station south exit), ☎+81 03 5433-2323, [20]. Tu-F 5PM-11:30PM, Sa-Su 4PM-11:30PM, closed M. Kura Kura has an excellent selection of beers from Japanese microbreweries served on tap, such as Swan Lake in Niigata and Sanktgallen in Kanagawa. They also have a wide selection of bottled beers, such as offerings from Baird Brewing Company in Shizuoka and Fuji Sakura Kogen in Yamanashi. Beer prices vary. Some food is served — try the sausage and beer sampler set for ¥1000. Unfortunately, they have moved to the more business district of Kanda in Chiyoda.